12 Tips for Travelling to Krakow

History and modernity converge in Krakow. It is the second largest city in Poland and was declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.

This city offers you the chance to reconnect with history at every turn, with plans ranging from visiting Oskar Schindler's factory to taking a gastronomic tour to explore Polish flavours. But before you dive into the different activities, here are some important tips to keep in mind.

Transfers between the airport and Krakow are a key aspect when arriving in any city, as in some cases local airports are a moderate distance from the city centre.

In the case of Krakow, the distance from the historic centre to John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice is approximately 11 kilometres.

You have several alternatives depending on your budget and preferences. If you want to travel in comfort and can afford to pay a little more, book your transfer from Krakow Airport. You can also use public transport or hire your own car upon arrival at the terminal.

Krakow is located in southern Poland, near the border with the Czech Republic, and has a population of over 750,000.

The heart of the city is the best place to stay during your trip. Not only because you will be closer to the main attractions, such as Krakow's Jewish Quarter, but also because you will be able to enjoy its wonderful architecture.

Despite being the centre of a European city, its architectural layout makes it easy to get around without the typical chaos of large metropolises. To do so, don't hesitate to book the various tours available and explore the city at your leisure:

• Private tour of Krakow's Nowa Huta district, from £70
• Private tour of communism in Krakow, from £97
• Tour of Krakow's old town, from £25
• Tour of Krakow's Jewish quarter, from £22

This obviously depends on your availability, but it is always advisable to adjust your schedule to enjoy your destination to the fullest.

• High season: although you will encounter many other travellers, the period from May to September is ideal, as the temperatures are quite pleasant.
• Mid season: in March, April and October you will find good weather. In addition, the city will not be as crowded with tourists, so it will be a good time to enjoy it more calmly.
• Low season: this is from November to February. It will be a good time for your trip if you enjoy the cold, which can be extreme, or if you want to experience Christmas in the Polish style.

Choose your travel season based on different festivities that connect you with the local culture. In June, for example, there is Wianki, a colourful event that welcomes summer, where Krakow residents gather on the banks of the Vistula River to celebrate the shortest night of the year.

It is important to keep this in mind so that you can easily navigate the local commerce in Krakow.

Although Poland belongs to the European Union, its currency is not the euro, but the złoty (PLN), with an approximate conversion rate of 1 euro = 4.54 złoty.

The best advice I can give you is that if you already have a travel itinerary, take cash for basic expenses during your stay, such as drinks, meals and tips, and pay for the rest with a card. But always check with your bank about fees so you don't get any surprises.

Unless you speak Polish and can communicate without any problems, do a little preparation so you can interact in Krakow. If you speak English, you won't have any major problems, as most of the population speaks the language fluently.

Bring a dictionary and a translation app with you to help you in your day-to-day life. However, it doesn't hurt to learn a few basic words in Polish, which will also be seen as a great gesture of kindness on your part. Here are a few:

• Good morning/afternoon = Dzień dobry.
• Good evening = Dobry wieczór.
• Please = Proszę.
• Thank you = Dziękuję.

One of the most exciting things about cities like Krakow is how inspiring it is to see their reconstruction and change after one of the most heartbreaking chapters in our history.

For this reason, I believe that visiting Krakow is also a learning experience in which you must show respect and empathy, beyond simply enjoying a fashionable European destination. So if you visit the city and decide to stop by places like the Auschwitz concentration camps, it would be ideal to read up on what you will see there, because beyond a tourist tour, it is an exercise in remembrance.

Please note that this is not a suitable visit if you are travelling with children or very sensitive people. In this article, I'll tell you more about what to see at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp and then show you how to book your trip to Auschwitz.

Krakow is a city with a rich history, and you will probably want to learn every detail hidden in its streets. For this reason, I recommend choosing tours with expert guides who will offer you a deeper insight into the city and its hidden corners.

A guided tour offers benefits such as:

• Better organisation of your daily schedule.
• Learning more about places that you might miss if you were travelling alone.
• Meeting and connecting with other travellers.

You can take guided tours to see Heroes' Square, Wawel Cathedral, the University of Poland, or Sukiennice, the city's oldest shopping centre, among other options. To do so, you can book:

• A walking tour.
• A bike tour of Krakow.
• A Segway tour of Krakow.

One piece of advice I always like to give travellers is not to be afraid to try the food of the destination they are visiting. Sometimes we are a little sceptical and prefer to go for the simple, commercial options or what we feel safe with.

But there is nothing more exciting than trying new things and discovering what lies behind the gastronomic tradition of the city we are visiting. In Krakow, you'll find a mix of cultures and flavours, such as Slavic, Turkish, Jewish and French cuisine.

Visit the local market and venture out on a food tour of the Jewish quarter to try the most traditional dishes. Here's more information about the best food tours in Krakow.

A recurring question from travellers is how much time you need to get to know Krakow in detail. There are several answers to this question, as it all depends on how much time you have in the city. My advice is that with a minimum of three days, you can discover the city at a comfortable pace and without rushing.

In three days, depending on your interests, you can do different things, but I recommend four essentials:

• Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
• Take a trip to Auschwitz.
• Visit Oskar Schindler's factory.
• Explore the Krakow market on a tour of the old town.

In this article, you will find more details about an itinerary for seeing Krakow in 3 days.

Sometimes we focus on the city and forget about the places in the surrounding area that we can easily visit in a short time. My recommendation is to start with Krakow and leave some time to visit some places with great attractions such as:

• Wroclaw.
• The Tatra Mountains.
• Ojców National Park.

Find out more about what to see and do around Krakow here.

Sometimes we focus only on plans created specifically for tourists and forget that we are in a city where culture is part of everyday life.

Krakow is no exception, and with its rich history and culture, it won't be difficult to find additional events to enjoy the city like a local. A good place to start is the public libraries, where you can find announcements of cultural events, including concerts, exhibitions and other free activities to enjoy alone or with your family.

If you are travelling with children, ask about children's events so that they too can have a great time and take home fond memories of Krakow. Here are 11 things to do in Krakow with children.

Krakow has many things to see and do and is an ideal destination, but before your trip, I recommend that you learn more about how to interact in the place you are visiting. This is a matter of respect and traveller camaraderie.

If you arrive from Spain, for example, and are introduced to new people, you will probably give them the traditional two kisses on the cheek as a greeting. But be careful, as Poles are not used to this and will find it a little strange.

It is enough to shake their hand and be very friendly. Once you get to know them better, in Poland it is customary to give up to three kisses as a greeting, as in some regions of Switzerland and France.

Krakow's climate throughout the year

In addition to these tips I've shared with you to help you enjoy your visit to Krakow, it's also important to have basic information about the cities you want to visit, such as what climate to expect throughout the year.

Maximum temperatures in Krakow can reach an averageof 14°C throughout the year, with peaks of up to 26°C in August, so you can expect a very pleasant summer. If you like snow, the snow season runs from mid-November to mid-March. The snowiest month is January.

Safety in Krakow

In general, Krakow is a fairly safe city where you can walk around late at night without any worries. I recommend the basics, which is to avoid falling into traps designed to deceive tourists.

If you are going to visit museums or specific places such as the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines, be sure to book in advance and only through official websites.

I hope this guide will be of great help in preparing for your trip to this city that will leave you wanting to return. And if, after visiting Krakow, you feel like continuing to explore the magic of Poland, here are some details on how to get from Krakow to Warsaw.